Transmission



Aug. 18, 1953 J. G. VINCENT TRANSMISSION ll Sheets-Sheet l FilOd Julj/ 17, 1947 IN VENTOR. Jesse G U/ncent A ORNEY.

Aug. 18, 1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,643,992

' TRANSMISSION Filed July 17, 1947 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. G. Vmcenzf A TmE/VEY.

INVENTOR.

A TT 'QNEY l1 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. G. VINCENT TRANSMISSION Aug. 18, 1953 Filed July 17, 1947 Jesse G. V/hcent A11g- 1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,648,992

TRANSMISSION Filed July 17, 1947 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 TO FRONT CLUTCH A TO REAR CLUTCH D 320 552 3% HIGH RANGE FRoM REAR PUMP E FROM FRONT PUMP 4 IST SPEED IN V EN TOR.

Jg sse 6. whee/7t A TTOENEX CLUTCH C 1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,648,992

TRANSMISSION Filed July 1'7, 194'! 11 sheets-sheet 5 TO FRONT CLUTCH A TO HEAR To HIGH RANGE CLUTCH C FROM REAR PUMP E FROM FRONT PUMP 2ND SPEED INVENTOR.

Jesse G U/hcent ATTORNEY.

Aug. 8, 1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,648,992

TRANSMISSION Filed July 17, 1947 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 TO FRONT CLUTCH A To REAR CLUTCH D TO mew RANGE CLUTCH C FROM REAR PUMP E FRQM g PUMP 275 466 472 91 5RD SPEED INVENTOR.

A T TOENEK 18, 1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,648,992

TRANSMISSION Filed July 17, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 TO FRONT CLUTCH A TO HEAR CLUTCH 15 T0 96 HIGH RANGE CLUTCH C FROM REAR PUMP E 468 FROM FRONT PUMP 4TH SPEED IN V EN TOR. Jesse G- Z/mcen A TTOE/VEY 8,1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,648,992

TRANSMISSION Filed. July 17, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 TO FRONT cLuTcHA TO REAR CLUTCH B TO HIH RANGE CLUTCH C REAR PUMP E.

FROM FRONT PUMP KICKDOWN IN VEN TOR.

Jesse 6.. whee/7i A TTOENEK 8, 1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,648,992

TRANSMISSION Filed July 17, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 TO FRONT CLUTCH A TO HEAR CLUTCH b TO HIGH EA NGE CLUTCH C FROM REAR PUMP E.

FROM FRONT PUMP GEARED HILL BRAKING INVNTOR. Jesse G. l/mce/vt 8, 1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,648,992

TRANSMISSION Filed July 17, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 TO FRONT CLUTCH A TO RFAR CLUTCH b TO HIGH RANGE CLUTCH C FROM REAR PUMP E FROM FRONT PUMP L 1 PUSH STA RT INVEN TOR.

Jesse 6. U/hcent BY r Aug. 18,1953 J. G. VINCENT 2,648,992

TRANSMISSION Filed July 17, 1947 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 IN V EN TOR.

Jesse 6. Vincent Patented Aug. 18, 1953 TRANSMISSION Jesse G. Vincent, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich., as-

signor to Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 17, 1947, Serial No. 761,475

Claims. 1

This invention relates to transmissions, and more particularly to an improved transmission capable of automatically varying the speed ratio of the drive in accordance with variations of vehicle speed and engine torque.

An object of this invention is to provide a transmission having successively engaging friction clutches driving through low and high range gearing wherein automatically operable means are provided to control engagement of the clutches and the high range gearing to provide an improved four speed transmission.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a transmission having successively operable low and high speed ranges, each range having a plurality of difierent ratios to provide a large number of different speeds with a minimum number of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved four speed transmission wherein automatically operable means are provided to control successive engagement of spaced friction clutches driving through successively operable low and high range gearing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a control mechanism for a multi-speed ratio vehicle transmission having successively operable clutches wherein a master valve is provided with a piston urged toward a position to engage higher speed ratio clutches by fluid pressure responsive to vehicle speed, and wherein a spring tensioned by throttle opening movement of an accelerator pedal is rovided to delay movement of the piston in the clutch engaging direction in proportion to accelerator pedal position.

A further object resides in the provision of an improved control mechanism for a vehicle transmission having a plurality of clutches driving through successively acting low range gearing and clutch engaged high range gearing wherein fluid pressure, responsive to vehicle speed and influenced by torque supplied to drive the vehicle, is employed to control successive engagement of said clutches, and fluid pressure, responsive to torque supplied by the engine, is employed to successively engage said clutches.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a transmission embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating my improved transmission control mechanism shown in the neutral position.

Fig. 2a is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the forward and reverse selector lever.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through a portion of the control box illustrating the mechanism for actuating certain of the control valves.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the control mechanism in the first speed position.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are views similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the controls in the second, third and fourth speed positions.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the controls in the kickdown, geared hill braking and push start positions.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form of transmission mechanism wherein the high range clutch is in the form of an axially shiftable coupler.

Fig. 14. is a longitudinal sectional view of a mechanism actuated by the fluid pressure operated control mechanism illustrated in Figs. 2 to 12 for shifting the coupler of the high range clutch illustrated in Fig. 13.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 it will be noted that a flywheel 20 having a starter gear 22 is secured to the driving shaft or crankshaft 24 of a prime mover in any convenient manner as by studs 26. The flywheel 20 is housed within a casing 28 secured to the engine block or other portion 36 of the prime mover.

A clutch driving shaft 32 has its forward end journalled in a bearing 34 mounted in the flywheel 20 and is yieldingly connected to the flywheel through a hub 36. A disk 33 secured to the flywheel 20 as by studs ill is drivingly connected through a plurality of circumferentially spaced springs 42 to a flange 44 of the hub 36 splined to the clutch driving shaft 32 as illustrated at 46.

at the other end of the housing 50, bolts 62birig provided to securethe members .58 and BI to the housing 60. The housing IiU is provided .with a central abutment 64 dividing the space'thereinjto receive a front clutch A and a rear clutch B. The front clutch A has a plurality of driving friction disks 6% keyed to the housing 6Q to transmit a drive to driven friction disks 68 keyed {to ahub 'III splined to a centrally disposed shaft I2. The front clutch A'is engaged by a ring type 1 piston 69 byv fluid under pressure supplied ,throu'gh a port 'II toengage the driving disks 6% with the driven disks'tB between the abutment 64 and the piston 69. The shaft I2 has its for- Ward end journalled in a bearing I4 concentrically mounted in therear end of the clutch driving shaft 32; and carries a gear I6 adjacent its rear end.

The rear clutch B has a plurality of driving frictiondisks iekeyedt'o the housing Bil to transmit a drive to drivenfriction disks B keyed to a hub 82 splined to asleeve shaft 84 surrounding 3, the centrally disposed shaft I2. The rear clutch B is engaged by a ringtype piston BI actuated by fiuidunderpressure supplied through a port 83 to engage the driving disks I8 with the driven disks 80 between the abutment 64 and the piston H BI. The sleeve shaft 84 is concentrically I mounted on the shaft" 12 through bearings 86 and 88, and has a gear 90 positioned at its rear end, adjacent the gear '76 carried by the shaft The rear e'nd of the sleeve shaft '84 is journal -led a bearing Q2 positioned in an inwardly extending web 94 ofl the casing 52. V ',;A final drivenlshaft 96 has itsforward end jfournalled in a bearin'g'SB concentrically mounted in the shaft 'IZ driVen by the front clutch A, and

is journalled adjacent its rear end in a bearing I00 positioned in an inwardly extended web I02 of the casing 52.

, A rangecontrollingmechanism is "provided to yary the speed ratio of the drive transmitted t-h rough the rear and. front clutches B and A respectively, For example, a clutch C is ,pro-

vided to di rect torque from the engine through ;the low range gearing when the clutch C is disf engaged to provide the first and second speed ratio drives, and to direct torque from the engine through the high range gearing when the clutch is engaged to provide the third and fourth speed ratio drives.

, ffjhe high range clutch C is interposed between the shaft I2 driven by the front clutch A and the final driven shaft 96. A hub I224 splined to the re r endof the shaft 12 is provided with a plurality of friction driving disks I06 keyed thereon and adapted to'engage driven disks I08 keyed to a housing III). A backing plate H2 keyed to the i housing I I0 and restrained against axial displace- -ment therein by a snap ring H4 forms an abutlmentfor one end of the friction disks, and a 7 ring type piston IIB adapted to be actuated hydraulically by fluid introduced through a port I II is interposed between the other end of the friction disks and a flange IIB of the housing III] to urge A member BI Wl'n'cl ;is symmetrical with the member 58 is positioned 4 the clutch disks into driving engagement with each other. A hub I of the flange I I8 is splined to the final driven shaft 96 to interconnect the shaft I2 driven by the front clutch A with the final driven shaft 96 when the high range clutch Cis engaged. Yielding meanssuch for example as coiled springs I22 are provided to *urge the piston lie'toward the clutchreleasing' position; v A layshaft sleeve I24 is rotatably mounted through spaced bearings I26 and I28 on a spindle r135 lhaving its forward end secured in the wall 9d of the casing 52, and having its rear end se- 'cu red'inan jinw'ardly extended wall I32 of the Teas ng; A compound gear I35 having spaced gears I38 and I38 meshing with the gears I6 .'and 99 driven'by the front and rear clutches A and B respectively is mounted on the sleeve "12 i. Anne-way driving clutch I40 is interposed between the compound gear I34 and thesleeve I24 to transmit a drivefrom either" of the gears 16 or '90 to the, sleeveIM; and to' permit thco'mpound gear I35} to overrun'the sleeve 'I2 I orlthe bearings I52 under'certaincond-itions of b'peration.

1 A but III t mountedon the s pindle'Ii'lfl through spaced bearings 'I adjacent the rearend of-the with a gear I56 splinedtothe unnamed-smart 93 as illustrated at] 52. The hub TM isprovided with the idler ear ofthe'reverse'gear train to "effectthe reverse drive,

As illustrated in i zd' tlrelshifter 'f'o lif-il'st is carried by a rod' l68f'slidablejaxially inispaced supports IIII. Therod I'EB may' be actuatedby a lever e12 'pivotally mou ted on stud Try-and having one of itsendsJI'IBfrQunded toproject into a slot I16 in" the rod I68. 'Th'elever 'I'I2 may be actuated by a link II'I connected'tq n i a bell-crank I'I8 having its other iarm connected through a link I'I9Vwitli'ai1ar I'80secure'dto a rod I8I extending along af steer ngjpost column I82 and having a' l'e'ver I83 positioned adjacent a steeringjwheel I84. r v

A spring pressed plung erjaaadapted to project into fspaced notches I86," iai jor' 'l 88' is provided to releasably hold ther odflfiil in the forward, neutral orrev'e'rs'edr'iv'e positions toprevent unintentionalimovement"of the'f'coupler I58. A switch I89 connected in series 'withthe circuit of the engine starting motor isprovidedwith a plunger I99 adaptedfto bef engag'ed by a'cam surface ISI to prevent'the starting' 'm0mr "from operating except when thec 'ou'pler fit"is inthe neutral position. h

Means driven y the clutch driving"'shaft '32 and by the final driven shaft 96 are provided to supply fluid, such as oil, f u gefpres's re-teactuate the front and rear clu'tches A and B and the high range clutch C; ana to 'c'op'eratef with trol the engagement and release of the clutches.

A front pump D having an impeller I92 splined to the clutch driving shaft 32 and a stator I94 secured to the stationary cover 50 is provided to supply fluid under pressure proportionate to driving shaft speed. A rear pump E having an impeller I 9% splined to the final driven shaft 25 and a stator I93 secured to the web I02 of the casing is provided to supply fiuid under pressure proportionate to the speed of the final driven shaft 96.

This transmission functions to provide four forward speeds. The first and second speed ratio drives are effected by successively engaging the rear and front clutches B and A with the high range clutch C disengaged, and the third and fourth speed ratio drives are effected by successively engaging the rear and front clutches B and A with the high range clutch C engaged.

To start the engine the operator shifts the lever I 83 to the neutral position illustrated in Fig. 2a thereby disengaging the coupler I58 from the forwardly driving dental teeth I52 and the reverse gear train. With the shifter lever I83 in the neutral position the cam [9i on the rod I58 engages the plunger I96 of the switch I89 to complete the electric circuit to the starting motor. The starter button is then actuated to start the engine, and when the engine is running the front pump D supplies fluid under pressure to engage the clutches A, B and C as hereinafter described.

To effect the first speed ratio drive in the forward direction the lever IE3 is moved to the forward drive position to shift the coupler I58 rearwardly to engage its dental teeth I56 with the teeth I52 of the hub I44 connected with the final driven shaft 95 through the gears I48 and I58. With the high range clutch C disengaged and the rear clutch B engaged torque from the engine is directed from the crankshaft 24 and flywheel 2%! through the spring drive mechanism 42 to the clutch driving shaft 32. Rotation of the shaft 32 is transmitted through the clutch housing fit, driving disks I8 and driven disks 89 of the rear clutch B and hub 82 to the sleeve shaft 84 to drive gear 90. The gear 90 drives the gear I38, and power is transmitted through the one-way clutch M0 to the sleeve I24, coupler I58, internal teeth I56, dental teeth I54 and gear I48 to the gear I52 secured to the final driven shaft 96 to rotate the final driven shaft at a relatively slow speed ratio.

To engage the second speed ratio drive the high range clutch 0 remains disengaged. The rear clutch B is disengaged and the front clutch A is engaged as hereinafter described. The drive is then transmitted from the clutch driving shaft 32 and clutch housing BI] through the clutch plates 66 and 88 of the front clutch A, hub III to the centrally disposed shaft I2, gears It and I38, one-way clutch I40 to rotate the sleeve shaft I24 to drive the final driven shaft 96 at a higher speed ratio.

To engage the third speed drive, the high range clutch C is engaged, the front clutch A is released and the rear clutch B is engaged. Power then flows through the sleeve shaft 84, gears 90 and I38, through gear I36 and I6, driving and driven disks I06 and I08 of the high range clutch C, fiange H3 and hub I20 to the final driven shaft 95.

To engage the fourth speed ratio or direct drive, the high range clutch C remains engaged, the rear clutch B is disengaged and the front clutch A is engaged whereupon power flows through the shaft I2 driven by the front clutch A, high range clutch C to the final driven shaft 96 to provide a direct drive.

Means are provided to automatically control the engagement and disengagement of the front and rear clutches A, B and the high range clutch C in response to variations of vehicle speed and power supplied by the engine, or expressed another Way to vary the speed ratio of the transmission by speed and torque responsive means.

The front and rear clutches A and B, and the high range clutch C are controlled by a series interconnected clutch selecting and clutch actuating valves, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 2 to vary the time of engagement of the clutches A, B and C in proportion to variations of vehicle speed and accelerator pedal position.

Except in the push start position illustrated in Fig. 12 the front pump D driven by the engine through the clutch driving shaft 32 supplies fluid under pressure to engage the front and rear clutches Aand B and the high range clutch C, and the rear pump E driven by the final driven shaft 96 which drives the vehicle supplies fluid under pressure to actuate the clutch selecting and controlling valves, means operably connected to the accelerator pedal being provided to infiuence the actuation of the clutch selecting and controlling valves.

The clutch selecting and controlling mechanism is housed within a casing I99 adapted to be secured to the transmission casing and includes a kickdown valve F, a master valve G, a clutch selector valve H, a clutch actuating valve I and a high range clutch valve J.

The kickdown valve F includes a cylinder 200 having a sleeve 202 slidably mounted therein, and a plunger 20d slidably mounted in the sleeve 202.

The master valve G includes a cylinder 296 having a fitting 208 including a cylinder 2H1 of reduced diameter to receive the lower end 2 I2 of a compound piston 2I4 having a section 2I6 slidably mounted in the cylinder 2"). The forward end of the piston 2 I 4 is hollow, and forms a guide for a plunger 2l8 having a head 220 to engage the forward end of a spring 222 bearing against the section 2It of the piston 2 I4 to resist forward movement of the piston 2I4.

Means are provided to increase the force exerted on the piston 2H3 by the spring 222 in proportion to throttle opening movement of the accelerator pedal. One illustrative form of spring load increasing mechanism includes an arm 224 secured to a shaft 226 journalled in the housing 228 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The arm 224 is connected by pins 23! and 232 with the bifurcated ends of the head 220 of the master valve G, and with the bifurcated ends of the plunger 204 of the kickdown valve F respectively. The shaft 226 which actuates the arm 224 is provided with an actuating arm 234 positioned on the outside of the housing 228.

As illustrated in Fig. 2 an accelerator pedal 23B pivotally mounted on the toeboard 238 of a motor vehicle is connected to actuate a throttle valve 240 in the induction passage of a carburetor by any suitable linkage such for example as a link 242 connected to one arm of a bell crank 224 having its other arm connected to an arm of a bell crank 24% pivotally mounted on a wall 248 in the vehicle. The other arm of the bell crank 246 is connected to one arm of a three armed bell crank 25% having one of its other arms connected through a yielding connection 25I to actuate the throttle valve 246, and having its third arm connected to one arm of a bell crank 252 having its other arm connected to the actuating arm 234 as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 2. It will be apparent that as the accelerator pedal ii iifi is moved -in--the'throttle opening directiomrthe a-arm -"22t is oscillated in -the -counter clockwise idirection to increase the lo'ad--exerted bythe spring 22 2 fine iplungerrit Amt-the ikickdown avalve F is 1 interposedsbetween sections :3 l6. andiSl amt-larger "on the piston mit-of?the-:masterwalveiG,iand ito 5- .diametenslidably. mountedin the boreziof the project the plunger lM into thevkiekdowmsleeve 1 sleeve202. 20201513118 'kickdown-valve F. 2 Referring .novv--; more iparticularly to:-'Fig.; 2 Means-are-providedtosupplyffiuidiunder .'preswherein; the control mechanism is shown. in; the sure from the rear-pump E to urge thezpiston 5Z1 4 neutral position it will benoted that. therferward of-the master valve -(lv foiwvardly agaiznstithe .endJof the. section 3E8. of theukickdowniplunger resistance of the-spring222: to successivelyial-ign 204 is :positioned to overlie; the.;p0rt 1284..inrthe spaced portsin-the master valve Gr-to successively sleeve 5292: thereby. preventing: fluid under pres- -engageprcgressivehehigher speed .ratioidrives sure from-the front pump D fromflowingthrough tmoug l-rthe clutches A f Band' C. passages 2.38 and 2.96.toajpassageiz lnandsthe The-rear pump E is connected through aconclutch selector valveH to. engagethezreanclutch -duit d-with a port zfifi inithe-cylinder Mia-f B; to initiate the first .speecLratio drive. s lt will --the kickdown'valveF. A port *2 58 align'ed with also be noted that the forward endiofithesection -the'port 25fi-communicates through azpassageizfill 3| 8 of theplunger 284- is spacederearwardly from --in -the valve-bodywith the rear=end 262 of1the V the port 2% to permit'clutchrengaging; fluictgto cylinder 2 l G of: themaster -=v al-ve G5 The kicke .124); flow! through; the. annular-rchamberr -:3.;l e and {:be down- .sleeve c292 v i i dn ith. roove-.1264 ;':'V6Il'li8d through thespaceBZll between thelsection to interconnect the ports 256 a-nd Z58-in :the kick- 3A6 ofthe .plunger1294 and the forward: end :of downvalve cylinder -zfliiswhen the sleeve ZflZ: is the :kickdownisleeve 292. :zThetransmission -is in the normal position'-illustrated -in FigsI 2 and z'thusemaintained inoperative-gin theneutral-posi- 6 to 9. The cylinder zllli of the kickdown -valve F425 i ni e u h c ut h s ar :vented andclutph is formed with an axially extending groovei 'zfifi enga ing fluid pressure from he fr nt pumpzD' inalignmentwith aport' ZM communicatingwith fi fifi cannofireach any, Offthe 111 6 0 a vent passageiz-intowent-the l'b tt :ZBZEofJrb-he 'I hefirst. speed drive position..isgillustratediin n i. "210 of the-masterwva1ve iwhenf the Fig. 6. The initialmovementiofJthe g-accelerator kickdown sleeve 202- is moved --to -the 'kickdown- 3U .p alf2 5-1 is ransmittedthrough.thmabove deposition to-interconnect the groove zfifiwiththe port 268 throughthe groove 264-as illustratedin Fi e; 10-150 12.

mastervalve-Gus providedwith spaced second;

third and fourth speed ports"-" 272-,- 2-14 and 276 respeetivelyt to -su-pply fluid-undenpressure from the-rearpump E-to-actuate the valves; H, Land J "*tcr successively engage the second; third and fourth speedratio d-rives.

Thai-rent pump Disconnected-through a concylinder- 2 60='of-the kickdownvalve The kickdown sleeve 262- is provided with a radialbore 284 adapted to alignwiththe-port282 when the.

' kiekdownsleeve-282 is-in-'=the normalposition communicates with an annular axially-extended 1 --groove 2-88 extending-around 'the-1in-ne1'-=surf-ace of= the kickdovvn-sleeve 202. The sleeve 202 is i 7 also =provided-with a-radially extended passage 283=spaced axially-between-the-ports280 =and 282 -When-'=thes1eeve 2B2 is in--the' normal position illustratedin Figs. -2 and 64:0 9.

= The passage qim in the kickdown sleeve ifl..

comm-unicateswvhen' in-the normal 'position with a port- 298: in the -cylinder- 200x-The--port 29fl --conneets with" a-passage*=*292- having a-- port -294 aligned with the port 280-as illustrated." Phe 296 adapted -tointerconnect theports- 280 and 294 wherithe sleeve= 2fl2 is-in-the kickdown posi- 'tion illustrated-in Eigs.-' 10-to-=12.

The passage 2 92 communicates through eon- 3% ofthe clutehselector valvehavinga-piston nica-teswhreu-gh a passage ivlfl anda-conduit 3i2 -with the pa-ss age tfi -for'engaging' the-'rearelutch adaptedin the-neutral; first, third; kickdown and geared hill brakin -positions shown in 'Figsz- 2,

venting. of the. 1iear:c1utch-:'B.; andytoimove the section 2H3 to.uncover..theportglafiain theasleeve 32.; lfiuid 7 under pressure from the irontipump #288 and 2.99., passagei isz, cond-uitsrfififiaand .port .392, groove 5315. in; the; pistonyzszlfivofa.the

D then fiowsfrom. the conduit-i218 and:.port5:2.84 through the annular. chamber 53;! lia-athrough 990.1175 390,

, clutch. selector .valve: E port;368,:passage 310, conduit 352 and passage 83,.to engage theirear olutchB to. initiate the first speedlratio' drive.

The. rate f; engagement :of the 2113621581111 .0112 B is, proportionate. to the grate;oflpacceleration. v of the engine: For example, theeengine 1153842861- Grated relatively slowly. the. build; upu o'fqclutch engaging fluid, pressure at ;.the rearclutch: B; is .relative1 ,l slow, buttif the engi-neaisaccelerated rapidly the pressure. built .up tc .engageitheclutch is rapid. The operator thus...controls..athe rate .rof engagement of. the clutches. through; opera- .tion: of the-accelerator. pedal.

1'; When the .vehicle starts .to. -move.=.in athe: first speed. ratio. drive, fluid pressure is ideveloped aby the rear. pump: E. x'I'hispressure.v is transmitted valve G. The pressure exerted in the-cylinder; l5

...,1,1rgesthe. pistonz2l4 forwardly to progressively uncover successively spaced .higher... .speeclgra-tio ports 277.2, 214 and 213 with a force-proportioned :to .the. speed. of the vehicle.

i The fluid pressure requiredrto :shift the piston .2 I 4 a of @the .master; valve .G.-.forwardly .to;'-.engage successively higher speed. ratio drives; is. influenced by the torque supplied by the engine-con- ..trolled by. the position of; the accelerator pedal 23S because .'With ..increased 1 throttle opening movement 'of the. accelerator -pedal-the actuating arm 23 connected to theaccelerator pedal -projects the: plunger. 2 l8:- of the master valveG {ur- (i; 8510': and- 1 1 respectively" teinterconnect the ther into the forward end of --the i piston;:2. 4, ports iillland-308.

thereby progressively-increasin the-tension of the spring 222 resisting forward movement of the piston 2M. The movement of the piston 214 to engage successively higher speed ratio drives is thus controlled jointly by the speed of the vehicle and the position of the accelerator pedal.

When the piston 2|4 of the master valve G is moved forwardly to uncover the second speed port 212, fluid under pressure developed by the rear pump E, which actuates the control valve mechanism, flows from the cylinder 2 I 0 through a conduit 320 to a port 322 in a cylinder 3245 of the high range clutch valve J as illustrated in Fig. 7. A high range valve piston 326 is slidably mounted in the cylinder 324 and is yieldingly urged rearwardly therein by a spring 320 interposed between the high range valve piston 326 and a high range clutch piston 330 slidably mounted in the forward end of the cylinder 324.

The cylinder 324 is provided with a port 332 aligned with the port 322 and having an axially extending groove 334. The ports 322 and 332 are adapted to be interconnected by a groove 336 in the high range valve piston 326 when the piston is in the rearmost position illustrated in Fig. 7. The port 332 communicates through a passage 336 and a port 340 with a cylinder 342 of the clutch actuating valve I between adjacently disposed second and fourth speed actuating pistons 344 and 346 slidably mounted in the cylinder 342.

The forward end of the fourth speed piston 346 abuts a cover plate 346 to limit its forward movement, and the piston 344 is yieldingly urged toward engagement with the piston 346 by a spring 359 interposed between the piston 344 and a plate 352. The piston 344 is provided with a stem 354 secured to the piston by a nut 356 and having a link 358 at its opposite end to actuate the piston 306 of the clutch selector valve H.

When fluid under pressure developed by the rear pump E is transmitted through the high range clutch valve J, passage 338 and port 340 to the cylinder 342 between the pistons 344 and 346, the fourth speed piston 346 is restrained from moving forwardly by the plate 348 of the casing 169 whereupon the second speed piston 344 is i moved rearwardly against the resistance of spring 350 to move the piston 306 of the clutch selector valve I-l' rearwardly through the link 356 to the second speed position illustrated in Fig. '7. Rearward movement of the piston 305 in its cylinder 304 interrupts communication between the port 302 of the conduit 300 and the port 306 of the passage m which supplies fluid under pressure from the front pump D to engage the rear clutch B. It will be noted that a vent passage 360 in the piston 306 is aligned with the port 308 to vent the rear clutch B through the hollow forward end 362 of the piston 306.

The piston 366 has a second groove 364 to interconnect a port 366, connecting the conduit 300, with a port 368 communicating through a passage 310 and a conduit 312 with the passage 1| to engage the front clutch A by fluid pressure supplied by the front pump D.

As illustrated'in Fig. 6 the piston 306- has avent passage 314 to vent the front clutch A through the hollow forward end 362 of the piston 306 when the piston 306 is positioned to engage the rear clutch B.

As the vehicle continues to accelerate the fluid i pressure developed by the rear pump E, opposed by the sprin 222 loaded by throttle opening movement of the accelerator pedal 236, moves the piston 2M of the master valve G to uncover the third speed port 214, When the port 214 is uncovered fluid pressure developed by the rear pump E flows through a passage 316, through a port 318 in the kickdown cylinder 200, groove 380 in the kickdown sleeve 202, port 382 in the cylinder 200 aligned with the port 318 and a conduit 384 to the forward end of the cylinder 324 of the high range clutch valve J to move the piston 330 rearwardly into engagement with a stop 386 as illustrated in Fig. 8.

The conduit 296 supplied with fluid under pressure from the front pump D terminates in a port 380 in the cylinder 324 adapted to be connected through a groove 390 in the valve 330 with a port 392 communicating with a passage 394 connected to a conduit 396 leading to the passage I ll of the high range clutch C as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The conduit 365 has a branch conduit 398 leading to a cylinder 400 having a piston 402 provided with an extension 404 to engage the end of the high range valve 326 and move it forwardly in the cylinder 324 to interrupt communication between the port 322 of the second speed conduit 320, supplied by fluid under pressure from the rear pump E, and the groove 336 in the valve 326. It will be noted that the axially extending groove 334 associated with the port 332 communicates with a vent passage 406 in the rear end of the high range clutch valve J to vent the conduit 338 and cylinder 342 between the second and fourth speed actuating pistons 344 and 346 to permit the spring 350 to urge the second speed piston 3-44 forwardly to move the piston 306 of the clutch selector Valve H forwardly through the link 358.

Forward movement of the piston 306 of the clutch selector valve H connects the conduit 312 and passage 310 with the vent 314 to disengage the front clutch A, and connects the conduit 3l2 and passageway 3|0 with the groove 3| 5 in the piston 306 to direct fluid under pressure, supplied through the conduit 300 from the front pump D, to engage the rear clutch B, the high range clutch C also being engaged to transmit the drive in the third speed ratio.

As illustrated in Fig. 9 when the vehicle accelerates in the third speed ratio drive to such a point that the pressure developed by the rear pump E and exerted on the piston 2| 4 of the master valve G is sufficient to overcome the force exerted by the spring 222, the piston 2| 4 moves forwardly to uncover the port 216 to establish the fourth speed ratio or direct drive.

As the port 216 is uncovered, fluid under pressure from the rear pump E flows from the cylinder 2H0 through a passage 400 and a conduit M0 to the forward end of the cylinder 342 of the clutch actuating valve I to move the fourth speed piston 346 and the second speed piston 344rearwardly against the resistance of spring 350 thereby shifting the piston 306 of the clutch selector valve H rearwardly through the link 358. Rearward'movement of the piston 306 of the clutch selector valve H aligns the vent 360 with the port 303 communicating with the rear clutch B through the passage 3 I 0 and conduit 312 to render the rear clutch B inoperative. The groove 364 in the piston 306 interconnects the port 366 communicating with the conduit 300 with the port 368 to direct fluid under pressure from the front pump D through the passage 310 and conduit 312 to engage the front clutch A, the high range clutch C remainin engaged to provide a direct drive from the engine to the final driven shaft96.

Means operative when the high range clutch C is engaged are provided to prevent the clutch engaging fluid pressure supplied by the front 11 pump D.from--being vented .throughlthe space. 32! between. the forward Q section 3i5".of the; plunger bit -and the .forward end of the kick-l. downsleeve 2% when .the accelerator pedal 23E is released .as illustrated in the neutral position 6 shown in Fig. .2. One illustrative form of such means comprises a cylinder M2 supported 'on bracket members 413 en the casinglild and 'hav-" ing. its forward end connected to the third speed portl'i ll by a conduit 4H3 to supply fluid under in pressure .to thecylinder All from the rear pump. E...When.the piston-2M. of the master valve Gis displaced forwardly; to .engage. the. third speedratio=drive asillustrated in Fig- 8. 1A piston'fllii' is slidably mounted inthe cylinder M2, and has. 1.5 its. forwardend .grooved as illustrated "at 4 l a .to permit fluid pressure to. .urge, it rearwardly' inv the. cylinder .4 l 2 against the resistance of a spring 529. interposed between the rear face of the pis tonAlE and a retaining plug 42-2 having a vent120' passage 42 'to vent the cylinder M21: Thpis-i tonl iltnis provided with .a forwardly extending... stem M'd'havinga cross pin d28slidably1mount ed in..a .slot tsfiformed inj.the rearward end of. the. plunger 2% to engage the unslotte'd end 5325' of..the plunger and prevent it from moving forwardlyltosuch a point :as to'open the vent'spa'c'e 32'! illustrated in Fig. 2 "betweenthefo'rward" endslof the plunger 29 3 and the kickdown'sleeve 252; Itvvillthus be apparent that if the accel- 30 erator pedal23'6ziis released, while the. transmis-" sion isoperating in the-high range to transmit power throughthe third or fourthsp'eedratio' drives, the plunger 204 cannot. move forwardly with reference to the sleeve 2B2 tovent'the clutch 5 engagingfluld pressure suppliedby the front? pump Under certain conditionsof. operation when the transmission is operatinginJthe' fourth-speed ratio: or direct drive it isde'sirable, as .whenpass ning-enother vehicle .or ascending a hill; 'tOTaG- celerate the vehicle more rapidly than. is possible in .the highest speed ratio drive." Means operated by movementiof the accelerator pedal 236; beyond the full throttle position,"'to 'a kick down. position have therefore been'provided-as illustrated Fig. 10 to. disengage 'the'direct drive andengage the third speed ratio drive to providethe desired acceleration.

The forward end: of. the. plunger QM-of the kickdown valve F is provided with a shoulder 434 to "engage" the forward" endof the: kickdown sleeve: 29.2 .and move it rearwardly in the cylinder. 2% 'whenthe accelerator pedal 2361s fully depressed. A spring pressed ball 20.! adapted to' selectively engage either of two spaced grooves is provided to releasablyhold the sleeve 202*in' either. the. normal or theki'ckdown position.-

When the sleeve 202 is displaced rearwardly the circumferential groove 254 in the sleeve in' terconnects the rearend 'ofthe axially extend-' ing'groove 256 in the cylinder 209 with the port 268 connected with the vent 21!! to vent-the cylinderllfiQbehind the piston 2! ll of the'master valve G; through the passage'ZtEi 'andport 258; G5 The master valve G .is thus'rendered inoperative, and the. spring ,222 urges .the piston 2M rear-; wardly in "its cylinder. The .master valve remains inoperative .as long as the sleeve 292 re-. mains in the kickdown position because no .fiuid 7 can be supplied thereto so long as the circumferential groove 25 3 of the sleeve 292 is out of alignment with the port 256 of the conduit 254 from the rear pump As the master valve G is vented fluid flows out 12 ofi'theforwardend 343 of the cylinder 342 of the clutc'hactuating valve I through the conduitiMfl," fourthspeed' port 2% of the master valve; throughradial'orifices- 435 in the piston- 2i4 whereupon the spring 35!! urges the second and "fourth speed pistons 3 M and 345 forwardly valve H forwardly through the link 358 to vent the 'front 'clutch'A, and engage the rear clutoh 'Bto"transfer-the drivetothe third speed ratio gearing.

It will be noted that a passage 236 communi-" eating with'the conduit 254 from the rear pump E extends through the casing E99 and terminates-- in a port 438 adapted to supply fluid under pres sure'from the rear pump E to the circumfe'rential' groove 380 of the'sleeve 2&2 aligned with a port M6 in the cylinder Zfiiito direct fluid to-the conduit-384 when the sleeve 262 is in the kickdown' positionto hold the high range clutch pistontfifi'bfthevalve J in the high range posi tion'in engagement with'thestop- 386"00 insure continued'engagement of the high range clutch C; Thebranch-conduit 398 "connected with the conduit tflfi, communicating with the high range sure fromthe front pump D to the cylinder 400 to maintain-the piston' filiin the forward *positiont" The high range valve piston 326 is thus held "forwardly -in the cylinder 325 against the resistance-ofspring 328 to maintain the groove 335" outof alignment with the ports 322 "and 332 to prevent fluid from the rear pump E from be-- ing transmitted through the second speed port 212* ofthe master'valve' G and conduit 32D-to the -clutchactuating valve I, between the second and fourth speedpistons-Mdand 346, to engage the front clutch A.-

When the sleeve 2020f the kickdown valve F is in the kickdown position as illustrated in Figs. 10 'to lzgfluidunde'rpressure to engage the rear clutchB 'and-the-high'range clutch C is transmittedfr'om the front pump D through the conduit-'zlfi and 'port"280,* circumferential groove 2% in'the sleeve "202, port 29 2 and passage 292 to the conduit 293 communicating with the high range-clu'tchC as previouslydescribed to maintain engagement oi the high range clutch C. With'the sleeve -'2fl'2'--in= the kickdown position fluid-"under pressure from the 'front pump 'D' flows through the-conduit sec and clutch selectorvalve Haspreviously described to engage the-rearclu'tch BL The sleeve-2il2 of the kickdo'wn valve'F will remain in"--kickdown position to transmit the drive through the rear clutch'B in the'third speed ratio withth high range cIu'tchC engaged until the accelerator pedal 23B is=completely released. The =plu'nger'2fl t of the ki'ckdown valve F actuated by ''movement of the accelerator pedal through the arm L23 l is provided with a radiallyextended-projection or snapring {552 to engage the rear end 44d of the sleeve 252 and move it forwardly out of the kickdownposition when th accelerator pedal 236 is fully released. Thereafter the controls function in the normal manner as previously described.

Under "certain conditions 'of .o-perationdt is desirable to employ the braking efifort of the engine in an 'underdriven gear ratio to prevent the vehicle from travelling too fast when going down a hill.' Means operable by the driver of. the vevalve 15' iearwardly to the kickdown position to engage the rear clutch B and transmit the drive through the third speed ratio gearing with the high range clutch C engaged.

The sleeve 202 of the kickdown valve F could of course be moved rearwardly to the kickdown position by movement of the accelerator pedal 236 beyond the full throttle position, but such movement of the accelerator pedal to engage a lower speed ratio drive would still furtheraccelerate the vehicle and such movement is contrary to ones normal reaction when it is desired to engage a lower speed ratio to decelerate the vehicle. Manually operable means have therefore been provided to shift the sleeve 292 of the kickdown valve F rearwardly to the kickdown position. One illustrative example of such geared hill braking mechanism is disclosed in Figs. 2 and 11, and includes a manually operable push-pull knob 446 positioned on the instrument panel 448 of the vehicle. The knob 446 is connected through any suitable motion transmitting mechanism, such as a Bowden cable 450, with one end 452 of a lever 454 pivoted at 456 and having an actuating arm 458 adapted to engage a forwardly extending projection 460 of the kickdown sleeve 262.

When the knob 446 is pulled out the sleeve 202 of the kickdown valve F is shifted rearwardly to the kickdown position, whereupon the front clutch A is released and the rear clutch B is engaged to transmit the drive in the third speed ratio as more fully described in connection with Fig. 10. The transmission will continue to operate in the third speed ratio drive as long as the knob 446 is in the pulled out position. The sleeve 202 will be carried forwardly out of the geared hill braking or kickdown position upon complete release of the accelerator pedal after the knob 446 has been returned to its normal position.

It is desirable that means be provided to permit starting the engine by pushing the vehicle. One illustrative example of push starting means is illustrated in Fig. 12 wherein the sleeve 262 is moved'to the kickdown position, and the conduit 254 from the rear pump E is connected through a branch conduit 462, a check valve 464 and a branch conduit 466 with the conduit 218 from the front pump D to permit fluid'pressure from the rear pump E to enter the circuit of the front pump D to engage the rear clutch B and the high range clutch C to drive the engine in the third speed ratio when the vehicle is pushed or pulled.

The check valve 464 consists of a cylinder 466 having one of its ends communicating with the branch conduit 462, and communicating through its side with the branch conduit 466. A plunger 470 is slidably mounted in the cylinder 466 and is yieldingly urged by a spring 472 to close the branch conduit 462 communicating with the rear pump E.

To start the engine by pushing the vehicle, the sleeve 202 is moved to the kickdown position either by pulling out knob 446 on the instrumental panel or by movement of the accelerator pedal beyond the full throttle position. The vehicle is then pushed whereupon the rear pump E driven by the final driven shaft 96 delivers fluid under pressure through the conduit 259 to the branch conduits 436 and 462, the master valve G being rendered inoperative. Fluid delivered through the branch conduit 436 is transmitted through the ports 438 and 440 in the cylinder 260 and sleeve 202 of the kickdown valve F to the conduit 384 communicating with the forward end of the cylinder 324 of the high range clutch valve J to move the piston 330 rearwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 12 thereby aligning the groove 390 with the ports 388 and 392 to transmit fluid under pressure through the passage 394 and conduit 396 to engage the high range clutch C.

Fluid flowing through the branch conduit 462 subjects the forward end of the plunger 410 of the check valve 464 to pressure to move it axially in the cylinder 468, compressing the spring 412, and admitting fluid under pressure from the rear pump E to the conduit 218 communicating with the front pump D through the conduit 466. Fluid from the conduit 218 flows through the port 280, groove 296, port 294, passage 292 and conduit 298 to the high range clutch valve J, through the port 388, groove 390 in the high range clutch piston' 330, port 392, passage 394 and conduit 396 to engage the high range clutch C. Fluid also flows from the conduit 298 through the conduit 300, port 302, groove 3I4 in the piston 366, port 308, passage 3I0 and conduit 3I2 to engage the rear clutch B to establish the third speed ratio drive to crank the engine.

When the engine has started, pressure developed by the front pump D flows through the conduit 218 opposing the flow of fluid through the branch conduit 466 and check valve 464 allowing spring 4'I2 to close the plunger 410 against its seat, whereupon the front pump D supplies fluid pressure through the conduit 219 to maintain engagement of the high range clutch C and the rear clutch B. The sleeve 202 of the kickdown valve F is then returned to its normal position by returning the knob 446 to the inoperative position if it has been pulled out to engage the kickdown position, and by releasing the accelerator pedal 236 to permit the snap ring 442 on the plunger 204 to carry the sleeve 262 forwardly out of the kickdown position. The movement of the kickdown sleeve 202 to the normal position restores the operation of the master valve G whereupon the piston 2 I4 is then subjected to fluid pressure from the rear pump E to engage the appropriate clutches depending on the speed of the vehicle and the position of the accelerator pedal 236. I

The operation may be briefly summarized as follows: To start the engine the lever I93 on the steering column I 82 is placed in the neutral position to disengage the coupler l59 from the forward and reverse gear train, and to move the cam I 9| on the rod I68 to actuate the switch I69 thereby reestablishing the circuit through the starting motor to permit cranking the engine by actuating the starter. Since the starting motor will only function when the shift lever I83 is in the neutral position there is no danger of the car lurching forward as soon as the engine starts.

As soon as the engine starts the front pump D driven by the clutch driving shaft 32 develops fluid pressure, but the kick-down valve plunger 204 prevents fluid from reaching the clutches while the accelerator pedal 236 is released, through the vent space 320 between the kickdown sleeve 202 and plunger 204 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

To drive the vehicle in the forward direction the operator shifts the lever I83 rearwardly to the forward drive position to engage the coupler I58 with the dental teeth I54 of the gear M9.

To engage the first speed ratio drive as illustrated in Fig. 6, the accelerator pedal 236 is depressed to open the carburetor throttle 240. The first increment of this movement of the acand any leakage escapes forwardly aqua-sea.

celeratoripedalzcloses thespace; 3Zfi -between,the kickdown valve-plunger 28 i and kickdownivalvev sleeveZGZ-to allow oilpressure fromthe-frontpump- -D to be di-rected through the, k clrdown valve F and clutch selector valve Hjtoengage the rear clutch B. Ihe rear clutch, driving through low range with the high range clutch (3 .disengaged produces first speed. With the car. now inmotion, the rear pump E begins to operate inv direct proportion to the speed of the vehiclew The shift fromfirst speed into secondspeedas illustrated in'Figi is autoinatic, and leproduced in the following manner: As the vehicle accelerates in first speed, the pressure developed 'by therearpuinp E increases sufficiently to. move the pistoniili hfwthemaster valveG until the second speed'port 2T2 is uncovered; Opening of the second speed port allows passage of-fluid pressure .therear pump Etc the second speed clutch actuating valvel. This actu.

selector valve fizregisters. the-groove 3M. onthe piston ififi'with the port 368 to engage-the front clutch A. Front clutch :A.-driving through low range; produces second speed.-

The third speed position-is illustrates in Fig. 8 and is:attained 'by continued acceleration the vehicle "to such'a pointthat' pressure rear pump E-Wl1l movev the piston 2 it the master valve G forwardly to uncover the speed-port 2'54 With the third speed port uncovered fluid pressure is routed to the range clutch valve J and moves it to permit fluid p essure from front pump Dto engage thehigh ranger clutch C; At the same time. thepiston ieizno es the high range valve piston 325 to cut ofifiuid pressure from the rear pump E to the second speed clutch actuating valve i and the spring moves it to the venting position; Fluid pressure from the rear pump E is also routed to high'range clutch retaining cylinder M2- to. preventreleasing of the clutches when the accelerator pedal 2% is released during high range operation. The spring 358 moves piston 34% forwardly to move the piston 366 of clutch valve I through link 35%- to vent the front clutch A,-and at the sametime-adrnitting fluid under pressure from the. front pump 1D to engage the rear clutch Bx Rear clutch :Bdriving through high range produces third speed;

Fig. 9 illustrates theifourth speed ratio or? direct drive. This shift is automatic and is produced in the following manner: With the vehicle accelerating in third speed, the rear pumppressure increases to move piston 2 it of master valve G to-uncover the fourth speed port 27-6. From this port fluid from the rear pump E is exerted against the piston 356- of the clutch actuating valve Ito move it and with it the piston 356' of the clutch selector valve H. The movement of clutch selector valve H: (l) Cuts off fluid pressure from the frontpump D to the. rear. clutch B, and at the same. time vents it. (2). Allows fluid pressure fromithe-front pump D to the front clutch A to engage it. Front clutch A operating through high range produces fourth speed.

Ifhe kickdown position is illustrated in Fig. 10. When the transmissionis operating irnthe. high range and .theacceleratorspedal is. depressed to is a point i-beyondi .full-v throttle opening overtravel, the. shoulder 453 3" on the valve plunger iil i'nicves the k ckdov: i rearwardly asillustrate'. with the kick-down sleeve 2t2.thus repositioned: (1) All fl id pressure to master valve .G iscut off, and cylinder is vented, thus the mastervalve G is sample vely in-.

operative, andwill remain inoperative until kickdoWn sleeve 2021s repositioned to its (out of kickdown) position. (2) The chambers ofjthe clutch actuating valve I are exhausted because all fluid pressure admitted tothem inustibe relayed through the master valve G \vhicolis new exhausted. The springSShwvill then nove the pistons 3M and 346 forvvardl With'theni,

the piston 396. of the clutchselector valve 3; so that it is only possible in the kick-d? position to direct fluid pressure to therearclutch B.' .(3)l Movement of kiokdown sleeve 2&2 fluid pressure from therear. pump E to. the hi hlrange clutch valve J directly, by-passing the route through the master valve. the. transmis-v sion remainsv in thehighsrange when in vthe kickdown position- With the control in the kickdoWn position i. e. rearclutchoperati high range, the transmission will be in third speed. The transmission will remain, in third speed ratio regardless ofthrottle opening until the operator momentarily. totally releases theaccelerator pedal 23%. Witl .the accelerator pedal... thus completely retracted, the .vasherddiion .the

bottom of the kiokdown-plunger 295i strikes the bottom of the sleeve 2G2,'and carries it forWardlyv out of the kickdown position into the normal position. Vehicle-operationmay then be-resurned in the speed selected by the control at he time, depending on the prevailing car speed and accelerator pedal position;

As an added safety feature to permit the .op-,

erator to use the braking effect of the engine in an underdriven speed ratio for useprir'larilv when driving in hill country, thepush-pull linco tide on the instrument panel sis may be. pulled out to select the kickdown or third speed ra 'o drive.-

vehicle the operator pulls out the gearednhill braking knobd iii onthe instrument panelthus engaging the kickdotvn or third speed ratio.-

When the car is accelerated by pushing. or pulling, the rear pump E driven by the nal driven shaft 96 develops fluid pressure; The s t pump D is inoperative because'the engine is not running, and the check valve iti allows from the rear pump E into the circuitof the front pump D. This fluid pressure the rear clutch B and the'high range clutcliC to crank the engine in the third-speed ratio drive.

After the engine is running, the geared hill braking knob lfifiisreturned to inoperat ve position. The front pump. D then supplies pressure to engagethe. clutches, the'checi: valve 464 is closed. Therearpump 2 then suplies fluid .pressure to actuate the controls as previously described, andthe transmission will operate in whatever range and speed. the control selects at the time depending on the prevailing 2:; speed andtheposition= of the accelerator-pedal through.

.0 the kick When rapid acceleration is required, the shift into each successively higher speed ratio is delayed. The need for a higher shift point corresponds closely with the need for increased engine power output, and since engine power output is controlled by the accelerator pedal, it follows that timing in shift must be modified with the position of the accelerator pedal. The pressure developed by the rear pump E tending to shift the piston 2M of the master valve G forwardly is resisted by calibrated spring 222, to increase the resistance to forward movement of the piston 2:4 in proportion to throttle opening movement of the accelerator pedal 23%. The pressure necessary from the rear pump E to move the piston 2 M of the master valve G is thus proportionate to accelerator pedal position. Thus, if the operator of the vehicle steps lightly on the accelerator pedal 235, he will not load spring 222 excessively, and its resistance to movement of the piston 2 I 4 of the master valve G will be relatively small. Successive opening of the higher speed ratio ports 272, 22 i and 216 will therefore occur at relatively slow vehicle speeds because the pressure developed by the rear pump E is directly proportional to car speed.

On the other hand, if the operator of the vehicle depresses the accelerator pedal heavily, he will compress spring 222 thereby increasing its load and resistance to movement of the piston 2! of the master valve G. Vehicle speed and torque will then have to be greater in the speed range before the pressure from the rear pump builds up sufliciently to move the piston 214 of the master valve G against the increased spring load. It follows then that the successive opening of the ports 272, 214 and 276 will be delayed, and will open at higher speeds and engine power outputs to engage successively higher speed ratios.

The vehicle operator may skip a shiftsay go from first to third, thus skipping second. When in the first speed drive, the operator may depress the accelerator pedal heavily, thus loading the spring 222 of the master valve G, and demanding relatively high rear pump pressure to move the piston 214 of the master valve G. Before the pressure developed by the rear pump E has had time to build up sufficiently to move the piston 2M of the master valve G to open the second speed port 212, the operator momentarily releases the pressure on the accelerator pedal 236. This will abruptly reduce the load of the spring 222 on the piston 2! 4 of the master valve G, and the high rear pump pressure build-up by the rapid acceleration of the engine will be sufficient to move the piston 214 to open as far as the third speed port 2714. Thus, second speed is completely by-passed, and the vehicle is operating in third speed.

If, in the second speed drive, the operator depresses the accelerator pedal heavily, and when the engine has accelerated considerably, momentarily releases pressure on the accelerator pedal, the piston 2M of the master valve G will travel from the second speed port 272 all the way to the fourth speed port 215. The transition from low to high range in the transmission will occur just as described in the first to third skip shift. Since in the second speed ratio the front clutch A is engaged and the fourth speed port 216 also selects the front clutch A, no change in location of piston 3536 of the clutch selector valve H will occur. Front clutch A driving through the high range produces fourth speed.

Downshifts are the reverse of upshifts either 18 in regular order if the slowdown is gradual, or in skip downshifts if the slowdown is relatively abrupt as when the car brakes are applied heavily.

Upon releasing the accelerator pedal pressure, while the vehicle is operating in low range, the one-Way clutch I40 between the driven gear I34 and the layshaft 424 releases, and the car free wheels until the vehicle is either brought to a stop, or until the operator speeds up the engine.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 is similar in many respects to that illustrated in Fig. 1. Corresponding reference numerals have therefore been used to designate corresponding parts.

It will be noted that in this embodiment of the invention the high range clutch C is in the form of an axially shiftable coupler 50G mounted on splines 502 carried by the final driven shaft 96. The forward end of the coupler 500 is provided with external dental teeth 504 to engage internal dental teeth 5% carried by the gear 76 secured to the centrally disposed shaft 72 driven by the front clutch A to provide the high ranged drive. The coupler 590 is provided with a radially extended projection 5% adapted to be engaged by a shifter fork 5m illustrated in Fig. 14 to move the coupler 530 forwardly to engage the high range gearing as illustrated in Fig. A synchronizer 5| 2 of known construction is provided to synchronize the speeds of the shafts i2 and 96, and a blocker mechanism 5M of any convenient form is employed to prevent the dental teeth 505 from engaging the dental teeth 5% until the shafts l2 and 96 are rotating at substantially the same speed.

The mechanism for actuating the shifter fork 5| 5 is illustrated in Fig. 14, and includes a shifter sleeve 516 slida-bly mounted on a rod 518. The rear end of the rod 5H8 projects into a cylinder 520 and is provided with a piston 522 yieldingly urged rearwardly in the cylinder by a spring 524 to shift the coupler 50E! of the high range clutch C rearwardly to disengage the high range gear- The conduit 3% from the high range clutch valve J illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6 to 12, supplies fluid under pressure to the rear end of the cylinder 52!! from the front pump D to shift the coupler 500 forwardly to engage the high range gearing when the high range clutch piston 330 is shifted rearwardly by fluid pressure from the rear pump E modified by the position of the accelerator pedal 236.

As illustrated in Fig. 14 a coupler actuating spring 526 is interposed between the shifter sleeve 556 and the shifter rod 5|8. The rear end of the spring 526 engages internal and external shoulders 528 and 539) formed in the sleeve H6 and rod 518, and the forward end of the spring 526 engages the rear end of sleeves 532 and 534 secured to the sleeve EEG and rod 5ft respectively to shift the coupler 589 in a known manner.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as that of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1. In the first and second speed ratio drives constituting the low range the coupler 550 is positioned rearwardly as illustrated in Fig. 14. The first speed drive is transmitted through the gears 9d, 135, I48 and I50, and the second speed drive is transmitted through the gears l5, I36, I48 and I50. In the high range the coupler 509 is shifted forwardly to engage its'dental teeth 58 with the dental teeth 506 carried by the gear 76 of the 

